Latest news with #CarnivalRewards
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carnival shakes up cruise loyalty; Royal Caribbean to revamp ships
Carnival shakes up cruise loyalty; Royal Caribbean to revamp ships originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Complaints are pouring in on social media after Carnival Cruise Line announced details of its completely overhauled loyalty program on June 18. Although Carnival has been talking about a planned loyalty program revamp for months, the cruise line had not yet revealed any details about the changes until now. And it appears that the structure of the new program is not sitting well with many loyal new Carnival Rewards program, which rolls out in June 2026, follows a completely different model than Carnival's current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program. Many Carnival cruisers who have been building their VIFP status for many years to reach Platinum or Diamond levels in the program worry that the new Carnival Rewards system won't value their long-time loyalty as well as the current program. However, Carnival says that the new loyalty program reflects a commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for its loyal passengers. The new rewards model will put the cruise line loyalty program on par with popular travel loyalty programs offered by airlines and hotels. Doug Parker shared more details on the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program, and other cruise news including Royal Caribbean's 2026 ship modernization projects, on the June 19th edition of Cruise News This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning, here's your cruise news for Thursday, June 19th. Carnival Cruise Line is overhauling its loyalty program. Starting next June, the current VIFP Club will be replaced by Carnival Rewards, meaning lifetime status is ending. Passengers must now re-qualify every two years, and this will be based on spending, not the amount of cruise nights you have. This puts the company more in line with airline and hotel loyalty also dropping the Blue tier as far as their loyalty program, and all guests will start at Red. Higher tiers like Gold, Platinum, and Diamond will require more spending to earn and keep your perks. Some benefits, like the gold pins and the complimentary dining and unlimited laundry for Diamond members, are also being scaled back during this change. There is a lot to unpack here, and it's fully detailed on I'm curious what you think about Carnival moving towards a more pay-to-play model. Let me know in the a follow-up to the story we brought you yesterday of Celebrity Edge breaking loose while it was docked in Juneau, Alaska. The U.S. Coast Guard is now investigating the near-collision between two cruise ships after a storm broke Edge loose from its moorings. High winds pushed Celebrity Edge toward Carnival Luminosa as it was leaving port, forcing Luminosa to back up to avoid being hit. Celebrity Edge did drop the anchor just in time to avoid a crash. No injuries or damage were reported. Coast Guard officials are reviewing public video submissions and say a probe is now Royal Caribbean is set to overhaul three of its ships next year — Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas — as part of its ongoing modernization program. The upgrades will include new dining options, enhanced entertainment, and redesigned pool areas. Ovation will debut in Alaska, Harmony will shift from Europe to Florida, and Liberty will sail from England before heading to Galveston, Texas. All three ships will debut fully cruise stocks ended higher on Wednesday. Carnival Corporation: up 1%, 23.61. Royal Caribbean: up 2%, 267.78. Norwegian: up 1%, 18.39. And Viking: up 2%, 48.66. If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@ And this week's Cruise Radio Podcast: a review of Carnival Panorama, where you listen to your favorite podcasts. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Thursday. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line faces major backlash over planned changes
Carnival Cruise Line faces major backlash over planned changes originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Carnival Cruise Line passengers are fuming in the wake of the cruise line's announcement about its new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, set to roll out in June 2026. Although many loyal Carnival cruisers knew a loyalty program revamp was in the works, they didn't think the new program would be so radically different than the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) a completely different model than the VIFP program, Carnival's new approach to loyalty emulates airline loyalty programs. The new points-based system is based on spending instead of the number of nights sailed. But that's not the only big change. In a move that shocked and angered many cruisers, Carnival decided to eliminate lifetime status after the VIFP program became top-heavy over the last few years. Instead of keeping benefits for life, passengers will earn their status over a two-year period and retain it for the following two years under Carnival Rewards. For many Carnival cruisers who have been building their VIFP status for many years to reach the highest program tiers, Platinum and Diamond, this change feels like a slap in the face. Doug Parker shared more details on the cruiser criticism for the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program on the June 20th edition of Cruise News This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning, here's your cruise news for Friday, June 20th. Carnival Cruise Line is now facing major backlash over its VIFP changes to the loyalty program. Speaking of the change on Facebook, Carnival's brand ambassador, John Heald, posted a video saying nothing is finalized yet. John Heald, Carnival Brand Ambassador: We have a year to look at it, possibly, maybe, fine-tune it and change some things around. Brand Ambassador John Heald there. The revamped system ditches lifetime status in favor of a spend-based model requiring you to re-qualify every two years for status. Now, a longtime cruiser told Cruise News Today that the move erases years of his loyalty and feels like betrayal. Scott Lara, Platinum VIFP: As a platinum Carnival VIFP member, I'm very upset that every two years I'm going to have to re-qualify for my platinum status. Perks like welcome gifts, VIFP parties, and loyalty pins are also being eliminated or restricted. Critics call it less of a rewards program and more of a rebate scheme with added incentives for using Carnival's branded credit card. The line has until next June to finalize the new Carnival Rewards federal prosecutors in Alaska have charged a man with impersonating an American citizen aboard a ship. Enrico Ronquillo, a Philippine national living in the U.S., allegedly used fake documents including a counterfeit California license and an IRS form to pose as someone else during a cruise last month. He now faces four federal charges including aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and mandatory two-year sentences for each Disney Cruise Line is cutting the upfront cost of booking a cruise. Starting this week, new reservations now require just a 10% deposit down from the previous 20% for a cruise. The move is geared at easing the financial burden of booking a Disney cruise. Guests can still hold a reservation for three days without a deposit. Cancellation fees will also match the new 10% deposit the photo of the week comes from Charlie, of Royal Princess in Ketchikan. Great photo here. Send yours in: photos@ All photos are subject to broadcast. And the market was closed on Thursday. It reopens this morning. If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@ Have yourself a great Friday and weekend. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Carnival Cruise Line rep threatened over loyalty program changes
Getting upset is a natural reaction to news you don't like, but no matter how angry you are, please don't shoot the messenger. If you're one of the many loyal Carnival Cruise Line passengers who are unhappy about the overhaul of the cruise line's loyalty program, you're certainly welcome and encouraged to share constructive feedback with the cruise line. Related: Carnival Cruise Line unveils controversial new loyalty program But please don't make the mistake of thinking your anger gives you any right or reason to threaten and insult the cruise line's brand ambassador, president, or other employees. Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald, who diligently responds to hundreds of passenger questions and complaints every day on his popular Facebook page, doesn't deserve the onslaught of nasty comments coming his way in the aftermath of the loyalty program announcement. Sure, he's a voice for Carnival Cruise Line, but more importantly, he's a voice for its passengers. Besides communicating important cruise line information to Carnival passengers on Facebook, Heald represents Carnival cruisers and their interests. He doesn't just respond to passenger comments, he meticulously addresses them and constantly gathers feedback to share with decision-making Carnival executives. He handles passenger comments with remarkable patience and compassion, even though disgruntled cruisers often write to him in a rude way. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Heald truly listens to and cares about Carnival passengers, and he works hard to ensure that their concerns and requests are taken seriously as the cruise line evolves its loyalty program, ships, and offerings. Even though he deals with rude comments from inevitable unsatisfied passengers every day, Heald continues to put cruisers and their interests first. After sharing details of the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program at the end of his day on June 18, he immediately went to work the next day to gather passenger feedback about the loyalty program changes. Related: Carnival Cruise Line takes on a new passenger problem As the brand ambassador began to answer questions and respond to concerns about the program with intentions to share constructive criticism with his colleagues, he was shocked by an unfortunate pattern of rude, and even threatening, comments. While many loyal passengers shared their frustration and plans to "jump ship" to sail with another cruise line, some went too far and took their anger out inappropriately. Heald didn't just ignore those comments though, he addressed them head on. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. "To the few who threatened me and threatened my family and made terrible vile remarks against the people I work with at the mothership in Miami, well, I hope you never cruise with us again," Heald wrote in a comment he posted on the June 19 edition of his daily three-minute video update for his followers. He even expressed wishes for those people to be banned from sailing on any cruise line. "Your promise to cruise with another cruise line after writing those disgusting comments is something I wish I could forward to other cruise lines to suggest that they stop you from cruising there, but sadly, I can't," Heald continued. "Thank goodness they are a very small minority." More Carnival cruise news: Carnival Cruise Line's Project ACE vs. Royal Caribbean's Discovery ClassCarnival Cruise Line raises red flag over new cruise 'hack'Carnival Cruise Line fixes massive passenger pain point The brand ambassador also stressed that he understands passengers' frustrations over the new loyalty program and will "fight the good fight" on their behalf. "I know people are frustrated and I promise, I absolutely promise, that I will do everything I can to represent you and to be your voice," Heald insisted. "And those who truly know me know that I am very sincere in that. Thank you so much, and I hope we see you all having fun with us again very soon." (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Carnival shakes up cruise loyalty; Royal Caribbean to revamp ships
Complaints are pouring in on social media after Carnival Cruise Line announced details of its completely overhauled loyalty program on June 18. Although Carnival has been talking about a planned loyalty program revamp for months, the cruise line had not yet revealed any details about the changes until now. And it appears that the structure of the new program is not sitting well with many loyal passengers. Related: Carnival Cruise Line takes on a new passenger problem The new Carnival Rewards program, which rolls out in June 2026, follows a completely different model than Carnival's current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program. Many Carnival cruisers who have been building their VIFP status for many years to reach Platinum or Diamond levels in the program worry that the new Carnival Rewards system won't value their long-time loyalty as well as the current program. However, Carnival says that the new loyalty program reflects a commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for its loyal passengers. The new rewards model will put the cruise line loyalty program on par with popular travel loyalty programs offered by airlines and hotels. Doug Parker shared more details on the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program, and other cruise news including Royal Caribbean's 2026 ship modernization projects, on the June 19th edition of Cruise News Today. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Transcript: This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning, here's your cruise news for Thursday, June 19th. Carnival Cruise Line is overhauling its loyalty program. Starting next June, the current VIFP Club will be replaced by Carnival Rewards, meaning lifetime status is ending. Passengers must now re-qualify every two years, and this will be based on spending, not the amount of cruise nights you have. This puts the company more in line with airline and hotel loyalty programs. Related: Carnival Cruise Line fixes massive passenger pain point They're also dropping the Blue tier as far as their loyalty program, and all guests will start at Red. Higher tiers like Gold, Platinum, and Diamond will require more spending to earn and keep your perks. Some benefits, like the gold pins and the complimentary dining and unlimited laundry for Diamond members, are also being scaled back during this change. There is a lot to unpack here, and it's fully detailed on I'm curious what you think about Carnival moving towards a more pay-to-play model. Let me know in the comments. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. And a follow-up to the story we brought you yesterday of Celebrity Edge breaking loose while it was docked in Juneau, Alaska. The U.S. Coast Guard is now investigating the near-collision between two cruise ships after a storm broke Edge loose from its moorings. High winds pushed Celebrity Edge toward Carnival Luminosa as it was leaving port, forcing Luminosa to back up to avoid being hit. Celebrity Edge did drop the anchor just in time to avoid a crash. No injuries or damage were reported. Coast Guard officials are reviewing public video submissions and say a probe is now underway. Related: Video: Celebrity Cruises ship goes adrift in busy Alaska port And Royal Caribbean is set to overhaul three of its ships next year - Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas - as part of its ongoing modernization program. The upgrades will include new dining options, enhanced entertainment, and redesigned pool areas. Ovation will debut in Alaska, Harmony will shift from Europe to Florida, and Liberty will sail from England before heading to Galveston, Texas. All three ships will debut fully revamped. Related: Royal Caribbean, Carnival add ship enhancements cruisers will love And cruise stocks ended higher on Wednesday. Carnival Corporation: up 1%, 23.61. Royal Caribbean: up 2%, 267.78. Norwegian: up 1%, 18.39. And Viking: up 2%, 48.66. If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@ And this week's Cruise Radio Podcast: a review of Carnival Panorama, where you listen to your favorite podcasts. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Thursday. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Carnival Cruise Line unveils new, modernized loyalty program
Although change is rarely easy, it's essential to grow. Many forward-thinking companies recognize this and embrace change, even when changing programs and processes means initially upsetting some of their most loyal customers. Related: Carnival Cruise Line takes on a new passenger problem Carnival Cruise Line is proving that it's an industry leader by evolving its Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program, transforming it to a new points-based rewards system intended to better serve its loyal passengers. Although the new loyalty program is already ruffling the feathers of some loyal Carnival cruisers who have reached the highest tiers in the VIFP program, the new Carnival Rewards program promises enhanced benefits and modernized ways of earning status for all cruisers. Rolling out in June 2026, the new Carnival Rewards program will offer passengers personalized perks and new ways to earn rewards and reach higher status levels, through a dual-earning structure using Carnival Rewards points and status qualifying stars. Rather than only earning status based the number of nights sailed, passengers will be able to earn points for their spending - from cruise fare and onboard purchases to everyday spending on a co-branded Carnival Rewards credit card with Barclays. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and Brand Ambassador John Heald shared more details on the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program in a video posted on Heald's popular Facebook page on June 18. As he introduced the informative video to his Facebook followers, many of whom have been eager to learn about the loyalty program changes for some time, Heald emphasized a key point that cruisers should keep in mind - the new Carnival Rewards program will not take effect until June 2026. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Transcript: John Heald: Hello everybody, it's John, Brand Ambassador, Carnival Cruise Line, and I'm excited to be here to talk about our enhanced loyalty program. And who better to tell you about it than our fabulous President, Christine Duffy. And here is our conversation. John Heald: So, beyond having a new name, what is the Carnival Rewards program? Christine Duffy: So, when it comes to loyalty, we believe that rewards should be flexible and personalized, and that's exactly what Carnival Rewards will deliver. Our loyal guests are the reason we are the world's most popular cruise line, and their continued loyalty is vital. We need to make sure we provide them with meaningful benefits. Related: Carnival Cruise Line fixes massive passenger pain point Christine Duffy: The cruise industry overall has grown and evolved immensely, and so have we. Rewards programs have evolved as well across the entire travel industry, especially for airlines and hotels, but not really so much for cruise. As an industry leader, just like we brought the first LNG ship to North America, we will be the first to bring a modern rewards program to our Carnival Cruise Line guests. For the first time, guests will be able to build up their Carnival Rewards points, and so it's going to provide great benefits to the millions of Carnival guests. It's your cruise, your rewards, your way. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. John Heald: So, what about status? How do you earn status from the Carnival Rewards Program? Christine Duffy: In tandem with points, guests will earn status qualifying stars to unlock higher status levels. This puts guests in the driver's seat of their status. We all wish we could sail all the time, but the reality is for most people, vacation time is limited, which means obtaining status can be difficult in the current program, which is based only on frequency. This new program will provide more avenues for guests to reach status, as well as the opportunity to earn status more quickly. Related: Carnival cruisers get free drinks with this lesser-known deal John Heald: That's brilliant news, but will guests be able to keep their current status? Christine Duffy: VIFP status will transfer to Carnival Rewards for two years. Now, for our Diamond guests, which is our highest status level, we are going to be extending the complimentary grace period for six years. John Heald: What are we doing to make this easier for our guests to understand and easier to use? Christine Duffy: From today forward, we will be communicating frequently and clearly to make sure the message gets out about how to engage and work with the new Carnival Rewards program focused on you and how we celebrate and acknowledge your loyalty. For instance, we'll be recognizing status in more ways than just benefits, but with meaningful moments that show our appreciation for the special milestones. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. John Heald: And of course, we all know that changes like this are not going to happen overnight, right? Christine Duffy: The new program, while we are announcing it today in June of 2025, does not go into effect until June of 2026, so we have plenty of time for everyone to get acclimated, learn about the program, engage, and in the meantime, as you continue to sail on Carnival throughout the next 12 months, you'll continue to earn towards your status. John Heald: Thank you so much. A special thank you to Christine for taking her time to talk to us about this enhanced rewards program. A massive thank you to the crew and a special thank you to all of you for your loyalty and for your loyalty to come. Thank you so much and keep choosing fun. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
